This week we will experience the last episode possibly for Gundam Iron-Blooded orphans. Prepare for a downer ending where everyone dies. And thus the last Gundam reveal of the series so far is Gaelio's updated Kimaris. Let's take a look at the gali-gali's last suit: Guren Lagann Kimaris Vidar.
The 1st time the Kimaris Vidar was shown was in the opening of the second half of the second season/ It was already painfully obvious that Vidar is basically Gali-gali. How he survived was not explained... just like how a lot of things are not explained in the second season.
The Kimaris Vidar is certainly an evolution of the Kimaris line. This time, you can see a mix of Roman and medieval influences. Gone are the edginess of the Vidar and back are the rounded armor of the Kimaris.
It has plenty of surface details like most IBO HG kits. There are a few questionable bits though.
Lets first talk colors. The upper body is typical Kimaris: White with a hint of purple and purple. The legs are a striking difference as it's molded in this greyish brown color. The brown is actually matte, so trim with care. Yellow highlights litter the kit. Overall, it looks like a filipino dessert. I like it.
I was pretty surprised that a bunch of the yellow trim (like the knee triangles and head stripes) are separate yellow pieces. While color separation is impressive (no stickers were applied), there are some questionable ones. Specifically those large purple purple stickers needed for the elbows. The skirt also need stickers (the yellow ones).
One weird thing is the face plate. Could be just be mine, but there are "fangs" that block the eyes of the suit. Let me know if I assembled it wrong. I love the crest though. Very regal
The rest are in keeping of the IBO line. generous surface details which I like. Those gawd awful seams on the legs on the other hand are bad. Not sure if there could have been a way to move those somewhere else.
If you're wondering why the legs are like that, its specialised in space combat. It borrows the design from a suit from the same universe: the Hugo. They look like crab claws.
There are some pretty bad nub marks here and there, but I'd given up expecting small nub marks.
The first time I saw it, I definitely was not a fan. In hand though, it looks and feels a lot better. It's pretty chunky and I was surprised at the parts separation. With all the bulk, it does feel like you get more plastic for your buck.
It's a chunky suit, so expect it to have a slightly hindered articulation. If you've build a Gundam Frame HG, it's going to be pretty much the same.
1st the backpack. As the newest piece on the suit, I'm please to announce that its very articulate. The shields are light enough for the clips used to connect the arms. One of my shields though is a bit loose as it's a plastic on plastic ball joint. It has no thrusters are all of it is on it's lower body.
The rest of the articulation are pretty standard. Double-jointed head, polycap ball joints for the shoulders that can pull up, shoulder armor on a swivel, double elbow, ab crunch, and a ball jointed waist.
Overall, upper body isn't as hindered as the original Kimaris.
The large side skirt can actually move out of the way decently. There's a new waist frame that is wider than the original frame. That way it won't hinder the lower body too much. It's specially helpful for one of the accessories.
There's a double joint on the knee, but you can only get a little over 90 degrees as far as range is concerned. The toes can fold down like the original Kimaris. Balance is pretty good as well.
Overall articulation is pretty good. It's much better than the original Kimaris despite the more flamboyant design. You'll probably need a stand as the crab feet might make ground poses difficult.
One thing about season 2 is that all the weapons are much bigger. The Barbatos with it's mace sword, the ultra-giant mace of the Lupus rex, the Giant scissors of the Gusion, the giant cannon of the Flauros and the Valkyria Buster sword of the Helmwige Reincar. Now we have Gali-gali's gigantic drill lance. Poor McGillis with his twin short sword.
On top of the drill lance, You get a dedicated right hand for the lance, a katana and a single drill bit.
The katana pegs on the side skirt for storage. The giant drill lance has no storage though.
While the lance is just one big melee weapon (no, the tip does not spin), there's multitude of weapons stored on the lance and the suit.
The shield binders have 2 guns on the tip. the back of the shield can be removed to reveal a mini Dainsleif.
The dainsleif has a peg on one side so it won't rattle inside the container.
To move it to firing position, you move remove the dainsleif round and move the back bit of the shield to another peg. This extends the shield.
Instead of the giant electric cross bow, the dainsleif round is shot from lance. So slot the dainsleif round on the drill lance, it stops at a certain point of the hole.
Move the shields to the front and peg the shield onto the dainsleif round which is pegged onto the lance. It's pretty impressive how it can still pose with this set-up.
A better shot of the set-up.
The lance is of course, heavy. While the wrist is tight, it cannot support the weight of the lance without thickening the ball joint. The shoulder will also sag from the weight of it.
And the last accessory is the drill bit. You just plug it on the knee and away you go. How it fits inside realistically inside the knee, I've no idea. Still, it's a neat weapon. Certainly unique for a gundam. Not so unique if you're a red super robot with shades.
Overall accessories are complete and substancial. Unlike the Kimaris and the shurikens that'll stay inside the shoulder forever.
Season 2 suits are much bigger as most are over 19 meters (the Julia is huge). Here it is compared to the Helmwige Reincar. The weapon size are pretty much the same length if you remove the Valkyria Buster sword's mace part.
Here's a comparison on the Original Kimaris. The purple is a different shade. The lance much bigger and the design more elaborate. And it's a head taller.
Notice how the Kimaris Vidar is an explosion of colors vs plain Jane Kimaris.
Season 2 of the Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans introduced suits that are way more over the top vs those on season 1. Gone are the medieval influences, replaced by something more super robot-ish. And none personifies this gap than the Kimaris Vidar. The old Kimaris looks plain and boring next to it. The Kimaris Vidar has bigger weapons, retains the gundam frame articulation, and introduces more colors. It certainly feels less iterative compared to the rest of the suits on the show. It's up to you whether you buy or not it as it's looks drew in mixed opinions. But if you do decide get it, you're in for a treat. It's a good kit marred only by the fact that it's a HG.
Good:
- Gundam Frame articulation
- color separation is impressive
- good accessories
- that head crest
Bad:
- love it or hate it looks ( I like it minus the black-brown legs)
- giant lance is too heavy for the suit to hold
- giant stickers for the elbows
- that seam line on the legs... ugh
 |
| Only reason he references Gurren is because he reads the forums |
The 1st time the Kimaris Vidar was shown was in the opening of the second half of the second season/ It was already painfully obvious that Vidar is basically Gali-gali. How he survived was not explained... just like how a lot of things are not explained in the second season.
Aesthetics
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| How is this roman?? |
 |
| here comes the nerd goggles |
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| Kimaris dessert version amirite |
I was pretty surprised that a bunch of the yellow trim (like the knee triangles and head stripes) are separate yellow pieces. While color separation is impressive (no stickers were applied), there are some questionable ones. Specifically those large purple purple stickers needed for the elbows. The skirt also need stickers (the yellow ones).
One weird thing is the face plate. Could be just be mine, but there are "fangs" that block the eyes of the suit. Let me know if I assembled it wrong. I love the crest though. Very regal
 |
| He assembled this in record time, which is why it's probably assembled wrong |
If you're wondering why the legs are like that, its specialised in space combat. It borrows the design from a suit from the same universe: the Hugo. They look like crab claws.
There are some pretty bad nub marks here and there, but I'd given up expecting small nub marks.
The first time I saw it, I definitely was not a fan. In hand though, it looks and feels a lot better. It's pretty chunky and I was surprised at the parts separation. With all the bulk, it does feel like you get more plastic for your buck.
Articulation
It's a chunky suit, so expect it to have a slightly hindered articulation. If you've build a Gundam Frame HG, it's going to be pretty much the same.
1st the backpack. As the newest piece on the suit, I'm please to announce that its very articulate. The shields are light enough for the clips used to connect the arms. One of my shields though is a bit loose as it's a plastic on plastic ball joint. It has no thrusters are all of it is on it's lower body.
The rest of the articulation are pretty standard. Double-jointed head, polycap ball joints for the shoulders that can pull up, shoulder armor on a swivel, double elbow, ab crunch, and a ball jointed waist.
Overall, upper body isn't as hindered as the original Kimaris.
The large side skirt can actually move out of the way decently. There's a new waist frame that is wider than the original frame. That way it won't hinder the lower body too much. It's specially helpful for one of the accessories.
There's a double joint on the knee, but you can only get a little over 90 degrees as far as range is concerned. The toes can fold down like the original Kimaris. Balance is pretty good as well.
 |
| "balance is good" he says while ripping one of the arm off |
 |
| all of his action shots are on an action base |
Weapons and Extras
One thing about season 2 is that all the weapons are much bigger. The Barbatos with it's mace sword, the ultra-giant mace of the Lupus rex, the Giant scissors of the Gusion, the giant cannon of the Flauros and the Valkyria Buster sword of the Helmwige Reincar. Now we have Gali-gali's gigantic drill lance. Poor McGillis with his twin short sword.
On top of the drill lance, You get a dedicated right hand for the lance, a katana and a single drill bit.
 |
| Eyyyyy |
While the lance is just one big melee weapon (no, the tip does not spin), there's multitude of weapons stored on the lance and the suit.
The shield binders have 2 guns on the tip. the back of the shield can be removed to reveal a mini Dainsleif.
 |
| drinking game: Dainsleif |
The dainsleif has a peg on one side so it won't rattle inside the container.
To move it to firing position, you move remove the dainsleif round and move the back bit of the shield to another peg. This extends the shield.
Instead of the giant electric cross bow, the dainsleif round is shot from lance. So slot the dainsleif round on the drill lance, it stops at a certain point of the hole.
 |
| A video will explain this bit 10000% better |
A better shot of the set-up.
The lance is of course, heavy. While the wrist is tight, it cannot support the weight of the lance without thickening the ball joint. The shoulder will also sag from the weight of it.
And the last accessory is the drill bit. You just plug it on the knee and away you go. How it fits inside realistically inside the knee, I've no idea. Still, it's a neat weapon. Certainly unique for a gundam. Not so unique if you're a red super robot with shades.
 |
| He hasn't watched Gurren Laggan. he's a poser |
Size Comparison and Other Comparison
Season 2 suits are much bigger as most are over 19 meters (the Julia is huge). Here it is compared to the Helmwige Reincar. The weapon size are pretty much the same length if you remove the Valkyria Buster sword's mace part.
Here's a comparison on the Original Kimaris. The purple is a different shade. The lance much bigger and the design more elaborate. And it's a head taller.
Notice how the Kimaris Vidar is an explosion of colors vs plain Jane Kimaris.
Summary
Season 2 of the Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans introduced suits that are way more over the top vs those on season 1. Gone are the medieval influences, replaced by something more super robot-ish. And none personifies this gap than the Kimaris Vidar. The old Kimaris looks plain and boring next to it. The Kimaris Vidar has bigger weapons, retains the gundam frame articulation, and introduces more colors. It certainly feels less iterative compared to the rest of the suits on the show. It's up to you whether you buy or not it as it's looks drew in mixed opinions. But if you do decide get it, you're in for a treat. It's a good kit marred only by the fact that it's a HG.
Good:
- Gundam Frame articulation
- color separation is impressive
- good accessories
- that head crest
Bad:
- love it or hate it looks ( I like it minus the black-brown legs)
- giant lance is too heavy for the suit to hold
- giant stickers for the elbows
- that seam line on the legs... ugh
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| noooooooo! |
Still waiting for the Full Mechanics version if it ever comes out. BTW have you ever considered painting your kits? That way you will make full use of your photoshopping skill as well
ReplyDeleteMaybe Bandai will surprise us on the 1/100 given how many iterative kits we got on season 1. I painted some of my kits before but I'm getting much lazier. Last kit I painted properly was my Tryon 3
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